Butora Acro (header)

Butora Acro Review

Last Updated: October 23, 2019

Butora might not be a household name just yet, but this South Korean company is slowly taking the climbing world by storm. Founded in 2014, Butora now boasts a full line-up of climbing shoes...
Scarpa Crux Review header

Scarpa Crux Review

Last Updated: October 23, 2019

Visit any crag across the country, and you’re bound to see Scarpa’s Crux on the feet of multiple climbers. This entry-level approach shoe is a well-built, affordable offering that excels on trail and easy rock. And in early 2018, it got a few...
La Sportiva Miura VS (header)

La Sportiva Miura VS Review

Last Updated: October 23, 2019

The Miura VS is a time-tested classic from La Sportiva, offering impressive levels of performance on varied terrain. This stiff, aggressive shoe is perhaps best known for its ability to perch on tiny edges...
Five Ten Anasazi Lace (header)

Five Ten Anasazi Lace Review

Last Updated: October 23, 2019

The Anasazi Lace—aka the “Pink”—has been a mainstay in Five Ten’s lineup since the ’90s. And with notable improvements throughout the years, it still holds its own in today’s modern market. Boasting a medium-stiff build and powerful edging platform...
Outdoor Adventure Book Hall of Fame (header)

Outdoor Adventure Book Hall of Fame

At Switchback Travel, we love stories. Nothing moves or motivates us quite like artfully written and insightful accounts of the world. And while the online format is great, we’d be lying if we said we didn’t have a soft spot for books...
BD Momentum (s)

Black Diamond Momentum Review

Last Updated: October 21, 2019

For decades now, Black Diamond has been a mainstay for climbing gear and protection. And in late 2017, they finally released their own lineup of shoes. The first to hit the shelves was the...
La Sportiva Genius

La Sportiva Genius Review

Last Updated: October 14, 2019

La Sportiva calls the Genius “the most advanced performance-built design on the market.” Climbing companies love to make superlative claims, but coming from La Sportiva, this one definitely gets our attention
Patagonia Fitz Roy jacket

Patagonia Fitz Roy Down Parka Review

Last Updated: October 11, 2019

Patagonia’s down products are known for their 100-percent-traceable feathers, quality construction, and sleek, stylish looks. Building off of these core characteristics, the Fitz Roy Down Parka is...
Outdoor Research Ascendant Hoody

Outdoor Research Ascendant Hoody Review

Last Updated: October 11, 2019

Piggybacking off the popularity of their functional Uberlayer jacket, Outdoor Research introduced the Ascendant as a lighter and more breathable option...
Patagonia Stretch RainShadow jacket

Patagonia Stretch Rainshadow Review

Last Updated: October 4, 2019

There’s no shortage of high-performance rain jackets that will keep you dry when the weather turns, but the Patagonia Stretch Rainshadow stands apart from the competition in one crucial way: stretch...
The North Face Apex Flex 3.0

The North Face Apex Flex GTX 3.0 Review

Last Updated: September 26, 2019

The North Face Apex Flex GTX 3.0 is a versatile jacket that doesn’t fit perfectly into any one category. The 3-layer Gore-Tex build provides excellent waterproofing, although it certainly is heavy for...
Arc'teryx Sidewinder ski jacket

Arc'teryx Sidewinder Ski Jacket Review

Last Updated: September 23, 2019

Arc’teryx’s hardshells sit at the top of the market in terms of weather protection and build quality, and the Sidewinder is yet another impressive offering from the Canadian brand. We took the Sidewinder...